The competition for most eccentric town in Alaska is fierce, but Whittier wins out as the quirkiest town in Alaska where the people live in the most bizarre conditions. Whittier folk are used to the crazy weather, the freaky tunnel and, most of all, living all under one roof. This tiny town right on the Prince William Sound is the most eccentric town in Alaska. Come to Whittier for the striking beauty of the Alaska shoreline, the glaciers, and the people that make it their home.
Whittier is on the northeast shore of the Kenai Peninsula on the west side of Prince William Sound. Whittier's proximity to Anchorage makes this small town a gateway between the highway and the sea.
To get into Whittier, you must travel through a mountain in this narrow, one way tunnel. It is 13,300 feet long and is the longest combined rail and highway tunnel in North America.
A pedestrian tunnel provides a way to walk or bike through. It is always dark on the long path through Maynard Mountain.
There are more boats than people in this town of 220 residents. Rental boats, charter boats, and boats stored for Anchorage and Kenai Peninsula residents including fishing and cruising boats.
Cruise ships often stop here to collect passengers that fly into Anchorage at the deep water port. When they are docked, there are 10 times more visitors than residents in town!
People are always coming and going here. The Alaska Railroad connects Alaska and other railroads in the rest of the U.S. and Canada here by rail barge and carries visitors to the cruise ships or north to Anchorage.
The Passage Channel that Whittier is at the mouth of makes the waters fairly calm and protected. People often go ocean kayaking instead of taking walks as there is plenty of water access and not nearly as much accessible land!
Most of the residents of Whittier live in this one building! The Begich building was built in 1957 and later remodelled into condominiums and is now known as Whittier Manor. Almost all of Whittier lives under this one roof.
The Bucker Building is the other large building in town and was built in 1953. It used to be a "city under one roof" where all the residents lived, but now is in ruins. Residents are used to this spooky addition to the town.
It's easy to add a day in Whittier to many travel plans, especially when riding the Alaska Marine Highway or Alaska Railroad. You won't want to miss a visit to unique Whittier, the most eccentric town in Alaska.
If you do plan a trip to Whittier, check out the a glacier cruise or a whale watching adventure in the Prince William Sound.
Have you been to Whittier? Tell us about it in the comments below.
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